Mentor Involvement

[Rick TYler]

In the last five years there have been dozens if not hundreds of threads regarding the role of mentors in youth robotics programs. Rather than starting an unbounded discussion of philosophy, I imagine that you would learn more by asking a specific question or airing a particular concern. Most of the time these threads are started by a student who feels their mentors are unfair, doing too much, doing the wrong thing, or in some other way not living up to the expectations of the student. I suggest that you either just say what's bothering you if you do have a specific issue, or search for old threads on the philosophy of mentoring. I doubt there is anything new to be said on the subject.

I am deeply disappointed in the new FTC policy prohibiting mentor involvement in design and construction. From the FTC "Coach Manual": The students on my team do all programming, research, problem-solving, and building. Adults can help them find the answers, but cannot give them the answers or make the decisions.

Perhaps if this policy is the right one for FLL and FTC it should be applied to FRC?